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Sabah issues temporary immigration ban on non-Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has announced an immigration order preventing the entry of non-Sabahans into the state, to be implemented throughout the 14-day period of the Movement Control Order announced by the federal government last night, and which takes effect tomorrow.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pix) said the ban of all non-Sabahans through entry points for air, sea and land travellers, would apply except in reference to individuals approved by the state government and who have received certification from health authorities that they are free of Covid-19.

“The ban on the entry of all foreign tourists and visitors to Sabah is also in effect, along with a ban on overseas travel for all Sabahans. Those who have just returned from overseas are required to undergo health screening, as well as self-isolation for a 14-day period,” he said, in a media statement issued today.

Also to take effect is a complete state-wide ban on public gatherings including religious, sporting, social and cultural activities.

“In order for this ban to take effect, all places of worship and business premies must close except for supermarkets, public markets, groceries, and convenience stores which sell essential items,” he said.

Mohd Shafie said all government premises will also be closed except those providing essential services.

On March 12, the state government had activated the State Disaster Management Committee headed by the State Secretary.

“District-level disaster management committees have also been activated and are chaired by the district officers,” he added. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/sabah-issues-temporary-immigration-ban-on-non-sabahans-YC2141463

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March 17, 2020
Cuepacs hopes govt ensures well-being, safety of civil servants on duty

KUALA LUMPUR: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) hopes the government can take initiatives or steps to safeguard the well-being of civil servants who have to serve during the duration of the movement control order.

Its president, Adnan Mat said the safety and well-being of staff and their family members should be given priority, especially for those who had to work during the period.

“The support and cooperation of the public in understanding the work of civil servants is also needed as the country is facing a crisis such as Covid-19,“ he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Cuepacs also hopes that airline companies could be flexible for those who had booked tickets by offering open tickets to set new travel dates rather than cancelling without refunds.

This would help ease the burden of the people, Adnan said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared that Malaysia would enforce a movement control order effective tomorrow until March 31 throughout the country to contain the spread of Covid-19. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/cuepacs-hopes-govt-ensures-well-being-safety-of-civil-servants-on-duty-MC2141349

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March 17, 2020
Police will take subtle approach in enforcing movement control order (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities will take a soft approach in enforcing the restriction of movement nationwide to allow Malaysians to adapt to the changes in their daily routine.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said today that while there are provisions under the Penal Code which empower police to act on those who defy orders and isolation rules, police would take a subtle approach in the early stages of the exercise.

He said in the two-week restriction of movement, police hope the people will play their role in strictly observing the law by self-imposing isolation without the need of police enforcement.

“This is not a curfew. It is just a move to control movement. If the laws are not being adhered to then we will first advise, then warn and finally action will be taken. We hope everyone will cooperate or else the whole purpose of this exercise will be defeated,” he said at a press conference at Bukit Aman, after attending a high-powered meeting in Putrajaya with the National Security Council, military and other agencies.

Abdul Hamid said those who plan interstate travel are required to notify the nearest police station of the purpose of their journey.

He said the traveller will need to have a valid and urgent purpose of making such a trip before police consider issuing an approval letter.

“This is to limit movement of people and to contain the spread of the virus. Please be responsible and not selfish. If there is no urgent need to travel then stay indoors. We seek your understanding in these difficult times. Do not make unnecessary travel or take family holidays.”

Abdul Hamid said random checks will be conducted by police on motorists travelling from state to state to ascertain if they had obtained the necessary travel permit from police.

Abdul Hamid said interstate travel would only be allowed for :

– the demise of a close family member

– the ill-health of a family member

– medical treatment for one’s self or family member

He said those who wish to seek approval for the travel for other reasons may discuss the matter with the officer-in-charge of station (OCS).

Those who fail to produce the travel document during police checks can face action under laws of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Penal Code where the penalty is imprisonment up to two years or a fine or both.

He added that traffic police counters for settling traffic summonses will be closed during the two-week period until March 31.

He said those who intend to pay their fines urgently to renew their driving licence or road tax due to being blacklisted can do so online.

Abdul Hamid said if they are unable to pay fines online, they can seek the assistance of the district police chief or his deputy in their respective areas.

On another matter, Abdul Hamid said the police force is yet to have any positive cases of Covid-19.

However, he said seven senior police officers, 34 junior officers, two civilian staff and 11 of their family members have been placed in self-quarantine after being suspected of exposure to the virus.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/police-will-take-subtle-approach-in-enforcing-movement-control-order-updated-FC2141052

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March 17, 2020
`Tikus` caught, brothers sought for shooting construction supervisor

SIBU: A 47-year-old man involved in the shooting of a construction supervisor in front of a restaurant in Paradom, about 14 km from here yesterday afternoon, has been arrested by police.

The suspect known as Tie Teck Ming who goes by the nickname ‘Tikus’, was held by a team from the Sibu Criminal Investigation Department in the Sungai Bidut area, nearly 17 km from the scene today.

“We are currently questioning (the suspect) and will get a remand order against him tomorrow,“ said Sibu District police chief Stanley Jonathan Ringgit when met at the Central Police Station here.

Two of the suspects’ brothers, aged 43 and 46, are still at large.

Asked if the suspect was mentally disturbed as reported in a newspaper yesterday or under the influence of drugs, Stanley said the suspect showed no signs of mental impairment.

However, he said the suspect may have been under the influence of drugs when provoking the victim, which ended up causing a fight between them.

“During this period, we will be conducting a urine test on him,“ he added.

In the incident at about 5pm yesterday, the victim and his friend were at a restaurant before ‘Tikus’ came and caused a commotion.

A fistfight ensued, in which the suspect used a piece of wood to whack Tikus before the latter ran away with his younger brother Teck Hing, 43.

The two of them then returned to the scene with Teck Ha, 46, armed with a machete and shotgun, and the victim was shot and injured while trying to escape in his four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The victim later gave his statement to the police while receiving treatment at the Sibu Hospital.

Classifying the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, Stanley urged those with information on the whereabouts of Tikus’ two brothers to immediately contact the police, and warned that the two were armed and dangerous. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/tikus-caught-brothers-sought-for-shooting-construction-supervisor-KC2136851

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March 16, 2020
Malaysia gets special consideration in Singapore’s new travel restrictions

SINGAPORE: The new border restrictions on travellers including those from Asean do not include Singapore’s sea and land crossings with Malaysia, meaning Malaysians and Singaporeans can commute from both sides as usual.

Singapore’s Co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on Covid-19, Lawrence Wong, said while the order applies to the whole of Asean, a separate arrangement has been worked out for Malaysia through the bilateral joint working group.

Special considerations have been put in for Malaysia because of the close proximity and high interdependency between both countries.

“We do need precautions to be taken, given the high volume of people and vehicles moving in and out of these checkpoints,” he said today when announcing the additional measures that Singapore would be taking on the Covid-19 situation starting midnight on Monday.

Effective March 16, 2020, 2359 hours, all travellers entering Singapore with recent travel history to Asean countries, Japan, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom within the last 14 days will be issued with a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

Wong, who is also the National Development Minister, said that on land crossing alone 200,000 people move across the checkpoints daily and the imposition of a 14-day SHN requirement would be very difficult and very disruptive for both countries.

“So the 14-day requirement will not be practical for these travellers and we need to look at other precaution like checking their health. So discussions are ongoing between the two sides,” he said.

The latest travel order applies to Singapore residents, long-term pass holders, and short-term visitors as well but not those transiting in Singapore without leaving the transit area.

In addition, they will have to provide proof of the place where they will serve the 14-day SHN, for example a hotel booking covering the entire period, or a place of residence they or their family members own.

They may also be swabbed for testing for Covid-19, even if asymptomatic because of the risk of community transmission in the countries of their origin and evidence of cases that have been imported from these countries into Singapore.

In addition to the SHN requirement, from March 16, 2020, 2359 hours, all short-term visitors who are nationals of any Asean country will have to submit requisite information on their health to the Singapore Overseas Mission in the country they are resident before their intended date of travel.

The submission will have to be approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) before travel to Singapore, and the approval will be verified by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Singapore checkpoints.

Short-term visitors who arrive in Singapore without the necessary approval will be denied entry into Singapore and they are therefore advised to secure the approval before making definitive travel bookings. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/malaysia-gets-special-consideration-in-singapore-s-new-travel-restrictions-BI2129074

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March 15, 2020
Mid-term review of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition

It is almost five years now since the Nutrition Decade was declared. It is time to reflect back on its achievements so far. FAO and WHO are convening an open and inclusive dialogue with stakeholders for the mid-term review of the Nutrition Decade.

This review follows the ECOSOC Resolution 1989/84 regarding international decades, which provides that an appropriate inter-governmental body should appraise the implementation of a decade’s programme of work at the mid-point and at the end of the decade.

The objectives of the Mid-term Review of the Nutrition Decade are to assess and evaluate the achievements in individual policy areas of the ICN2 Framework for Action, as reflected in the actions areas of the Work Programme of the Decade, over the time period from 2016 to 2020. The Mid-term Review aims to identify focus areas for priority action and promising opportunities in each of the six action areas for future progress from 2021 to 2025. This assessment will guide the revision of the ‘living part’ of the Work Programme of the Nutrition Decade as appropriate.

The process will include a series of consultations and dialogues with member states, civil society organizations, private sector, UN partner agencies and others, as well as an open online consultation. Finally, a global event is envisioned to be organized to underscore the achievements of the first half of the Nutrition Decade and set the stage for the priorities during the second half. More information is provided in the concept note.

The joint FAO/WHO Nutrition Decade Secretariat has developed the Mid-term Review Foresight paper, which will serve as the background paper for the consultation process. Reflecting on the broader development in nutrition globally, this paper develops a vision on actions to be taken in the different areas of the Work Programme of the Nutrition Decade, considering specific advances and opportunities in individual policy areas.

Background documents for the consultation process of the Mid-term Review of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025 can be downloaded here. We will add the other 5 languages when they are available, and meanwhile, publish some in English only.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/12-03-2020-mid-term-review-of-the-un-decade-of-action-on-nutrition

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March 13, 2020
Latam cancels 30% of flights over coronavirus

Latin America’s biggest airline Latam said Thursday it was canceling 30 percent of its international flights for a two-month period due to falling demand over the coronavirus scare.

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March 12, 2020
Apple, Samsung, Google get letter from lawmakers to protect data from period tracker apps

Lawmakers are sounding the alarm on Big Tech to ensure that menstruation and fertility tracking apps are not sharing users’ health data without their consent.

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March 12, 2020
Women’s health and rights: 25 years of progress?

The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains the world’s most progressive blueprint for advancing gender equality worldwide. Twenty-five years after it was affirmed by 189 countries, what progress has been made in raising this blueprint
off the page?

On International Women’s Day the World Health Organization, United Nations University – International Institute for Global Health and the British Medical Journal have launched a special series marking ‘Beijing+25’.

It shines a spotlight on health, education, environment, work and other critical foundations of life as they empower or restrict the rights and well-being of girls and women.

Women’s rights are human rights

Every person’s right to control their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health is linked to their human rights. This makes sexual and reproductive health and rights a cornerstone of the Beijing strategy: both as a driver towards gender equality,
and a fundamental part of it.

The first article in the series, ‘25 years after the Beijing Declaration we need to reaffirm that women’s rights are human rights,’ highlights recent advances in gender equality and celebrates
the rise of a new and determined generation of activists, working together to empower girls and women.

It also expresses concern that progress has been superficial and not fast enough. Some critical areas of work have slowed or even been pushed back, such as comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, services and rights.

The authors ask for increased and direct investment in women and girls, to meet their specific health needs and accelerate equal rights for all.

Uneven progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Beijing Declaration affirms that the human rights of women cannot be separated from the universal human rights of every person – but that without concrete actions to strengthen them, they will remain rights in name only.

Some advances in this area since 1995 can be measured by health outcomes, including a reduction in both maternal mortality and rates of female genital mutilation. Positive change is also reflected in public awareness: concepts of period poverty and sexual
harassment, once taboo, are being taken up in day-to-day language.

And yet today, sexual and reproductive health conditions remain one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for women and girls. Violence against women and girls is the most frequent human rights abuse worldwide.

Twenty-five years on, the Beijing agenda is still relevant and still unfinished.

Defending the defenders of women’s health and rights

Although The Platform for Action is repeatedly affirmed in international and governmental forums, women and girls still face social, political and cultural barriers to controlling their sexuality, sexual and reproductive health.

Their decisions cannot be free from coercion, discrimination and violence if they are made in the context of power imbalances, harmful gender norms and inequalities.

The authors from HRP, the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, the Supreme Court of Nepal, the WHO and Women Deliver call for a system of protection for women’s human rights defenders everywhere.

They celebrate new communities of frontline defenders, civil society movements holding governments to account, and vibrant coalitions such as Generation Equality as drivers of achievements in girls and women’s rights over the last twenty-five years.

An anniversary is an opportunity for change

Governments are preparing for the 64^th Commission on the Status of Women in late March, where they will review implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and challenges affecting full realization of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.

They will recognize that no country has fully achieved equality, and that women and girls who experience multiple forms of discrimination throughout their lives are still the most held back.

If this collective reflection can be shifted into action, 2020 will become a new anniversary: a pivotal year for the accelerated realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, everywhere.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/08-03-2020-women-s-health-and-rights-25-years-of-progress

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March 8, 2020
End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Remarks by Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, World Health Organization Assistant Director-General, Emergency Response

Good afternoon.

I hope that your busy week was interrupted, like mine, with a moment of joy on Tuesday.

That moment was the celebration of a woman being discharged from an Ebola treatment centre in Beni. Her name is Masiko.

She was the last person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed to have Ebola.

Health workers and other responders sacrificed a lot to get to this point.

Since the outbreak was declared in August 2018 there have been 420 attacks on health facilities in DRC, resulting in 11 deaths and 86 injuries among health care workers and patients.

It’s been a huge amount of work. At the peak of the outbreak, more than 120 cases were being reported each week. 28 health zones were affected, with cases appearing 1200 kilometres apart. In response:
- 11 labs have been set up to test around 3500 samples each week
- 11 Ebola treatment centres were set up to care for people with Ebola
- 300 000 people have been vaccinated
- 250 000 contacts have been registered
- 26 000 safe and dignified burials have been conducted
- More than 3000 health facilities were identified for infection prevention and control support
- More than 1000 metric tonnes of supplies have been delivered
- An Ebola vaccine has been licensed, and two treatments found to be highly effective
- Almost 160 000 million people have been screened for Ebola symptoms at borders or other points of control
This work is continuing. The outbreak isn’t over. WHO recommends waiting two full incubation periods – that’s 42 days – after the last person tests negative a second time before declaring the end of the outbreak.

We must stay in active response mode to get us over that finish line.

We have to be prepared for other cases emerging. It’s is a very real risk.

Remember that during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa flare-ups of new cases occurred after the end of the outbreak.

There are four reasons why new cases may emerge during this 42-day period, or even after the end of the outbreak.
- First, because of the complex security environment, Ebola transmission outside of groups under monitoring is possible.
- Second, Ebola virus can persist in used needles, syringes or vials for several weeks.
- Third, Ebola virus can persist in the body fluids of survivors for many months, and can be transmitted well after recovery, or in rare cases can result in relapse – as we’ve already seen during this outbreak.
- Finally, Ebola virus is present in an animal reservoir in the region, and there is always a risk of a new spillover to humans.
This is why it’s critical to maintain surveillance and rapid response capacities.

And that’s what we are doing. We’re still in full response mode.

In addition to the activities I already mentioned, I have to underline how critical it is to continue supporting the Survivor Programme, which provides follow-up care for almost all of the 1169 survivors in 26 health areas in North Kivu and Ituri. The programme also helps reduce the risks of re-introduction events.

We need to continue this work until the end of the outbreak, to keep the capacity in place to rapidly respond to flare-ups, to keep supporting survivors after the outbreak, and to transition the capacities built in this response toward building a stronger health system.

But to be very frank, right now the world risks dropping the baton at the finish line. WHO faces an immediate US $20 million funding gap. If no new resources are received, we will run out of money before the end of the outbreak.

We appreciate the generosity of donors who have supported the response since August 2018. Now we need to get over the finish line. WHO is calling on the international community to help us end this outbreak, and keep our promises to communities to build a stronger health system.

If we are forced to scale back operations because of a lack of funds, and then a new case emerges, we might not have the people and resources on the ground that we need to shut down transmission quickly. Just a single case could re-ignite the epidemic.

That would be a tragedy. An avoidable tragedy.

It is important that the global community doesn’t only focus efforts when there is an immediate threat, then walk away when the threat subsides.

The health system has to be strong to stop much more than Ebola. It has to stop malaria, measles, cholera, and now COVID-19.

There is a lot more work to do.

Thank you.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-03-2020-end-in-sight-but-flare-ups-likely-in-the-ebola-outbreak-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo

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March 7, 2020